AVCHD to MPG Converter

Convert AVCHD to MPG Online

AVCHD is the HD camcorder format Sony and Panasonic introduced in 2006 — H.264/AVC video with Dolby AC-3 or linear PCM audio inside an MPEG-2 transport stream (.mts or .m2ts). MPG is the much older MPEG program stream that legacy players, DVD authoring suites, and pre-2010 set-top boxes still decode reliably. This is a deliberate downconvert: the efficient H.264 video is re-encoded to MPEG-2 and AC-3 audio to MP2, so the file gets larger and no sharper — what you gain is playback on old MPEG-only hardware and software.

How to Convert AVCHD to MPG

1. Upload Your AVCHD File: Drag and drop or click "+ Add Files" to add .mts or .m2ts clips from a Sony, Panasonic, Canon, or JVC camcorder. Batch is supported — every file inherits the same settings.
2. Pick a Quality Preset: Default is Very High (Recommended). Lower the Preset (High, Medium, Low) or set a Specific file size in MB to shrink output; use Constant Bitrate, Variable Bitrate, Constant Quality, or Constraint Quality for finer control. The output uses MPEG-2 video with MP2 audio by default (MPEG-1 selectable for VCD, AC-3 audio available in Advanced Options).
3. Set Resolution and Trim (Optional): Under Video resolution, Keep original, choose a Preset Resolution (480p for NTSC DVD, 576p for PAL DVD, 720p, 1080p), set Width × Height, or scale by Resolution Percentage. Switch Trim from Unchanged to Time Range to convert only a chosen segment of a long recording.
4. Convert and Download: Click Convert. Files are uploaded over an encrypted connection, processed on our servers, and deleted automatically after a few hours — no sign-up, no watermark, never shared.

AVCHD vs MPG — What Changes in the Conversion

Frequently Asked Questions

Will converting AVCHD to MPG improve quality?

No. AVCHD already carries lossy H.264, and MPEG-2 (the default codec inside .mpg here) is lossy and far less efficient. Re-encoding from one lossy format to another cannot add back detail — at best it preserves what's there, and aggressive bitrate or resolution cuts will visibly degrade it. Convert to MPG for legacy compatibility, not for a quality gain.

Why is my MPG file larger than the AVCHD source?

Because MPEG-2 needs roughly 2-3x the bitrate of H.264 to look the same. In our testing, a 60-second 1080p AVCHD clip recorded around 24 Mbit/s came in near 180 MB, and the MPEG-2 program stream at a visually comparable bitrate landed in the 200-260 MB range. That size jump is inherent to the older codec, not a fault of the converter.

Should I pick MPEG-2 or MPEG-1 for the output?

MPEG-2 for almost everything — DVD-Video, SVCD, broadcast ingest, and HD playback on legacy hardware. The tool selects MPEG-2 automatically. Choose MPEG-1 only when you specifically need Video CD (VCD) compatibility at 352×240 (NTSC) or 352×288 (PAL) for very old standalone players.

Can I burn the MPG straight to a playable DVD?

Not on its own. The .mpg is just the video file; a DVD-Video disc also needs a VIDEO_TS folder with IFO/BUP/VOB files and usually menus. Author the MPG into a compliant disc image with software such as DVDStyler or ImgBurn, then burn it. Keep the MPEG-2 video bitrate at or below 9.8 Mbit/s and use 720×480 (NTSC) or 720×576 (PAL).

Is there a better target than MPG for modern devices?

Yes. For phones, browsers, and current editors, MP4 with H.264 plays everywhere and stays far smaller than MPEG-2 — use AVCHD to MP4 instead. Reach for MPG only when the destination is genuinely old: a pre-2010 set-top box, a DVD/VCD authoring chain, or a system that ingests MPEG-2 program streams. For modern editing without a container change, AVCHD to MOV is also worth considering.

Is the conversion private?

Files are uploaded over an encrypted connection, processed on our servers, and deleted automatically after a few hours — no sign-up, no watermark, never shared or made public.